Meridian’s Debreasha Powe looks to continue basketball success in Starkville
MERIDIAN, Miss. (BVM) — On March 9, four days after capturing Meridian High School’s first girls basketball state championship, Debreasha Powe was named Gatorade Mississippi Basketball Player of the Year. Now, one of Mississippi’s best prep athletes is set to become a college athlete.
A HUGE Accomplishment!!! @debreasha Gatorade Player of the Year in the State of Mississippi 🐶🐾 Bulldogs on TOP‼️ We are so proud of you! State Champion and GPOY… they just keep coming!! Let’s not forget 2022 All Scholastic Sports Team as well #studentathlete #HailState pic.twitter.com/eFlVXuR0Cs
— Coach P (@coachpeggyls) March 9, 2022
A four-star recruit, Powe has always had basketball on her mind. And from an early age, her family helped mold her into the hardworking basketball player she is today.
“My brother started before, and I used to watch him all the time,” Powe said. “I’d always go out in the backyard [too], and my dad would teach me [the game].”
Powe started her high school career at Lamar High School. Shortly after that, Powe would transfer to Meridian to play for head girls basketball coach Deneshia Faulkner.
For five years, Faulkner has been coaching basketball at Meridian. When Derbeaha decided to transfer, Faulkner knew what kind of athlete and person she was getting.
“Her work ethic is amazing; she puts in the work every day,” Faulkner said. “So, we expected her to be the person she is [today].”
Alongside playing for Faulkner and the Lady Wildcats, Powe also had help developing her game thanks to her AAU team: the Alabama Southern Starz.
With the Starz, Powe played against and alongside some of the best out-of-state talent. It helped her develop her game and receive recognition for her game on the court. As only a freshman, she received offers from the likes of Ole Miss. Other Division I schools also extended scholarships to her, but there was one school she was waiting on.
That school was Mississippi State.
Through the process, Powe met with many different coaches and formed many relationships, however nothing could entice Powe to give up on her dream school.
“The recruiting process is a lot,” Powe said. “You meet a lot of different coaches and different schools. I thought it through when I narrowed it down; I just felt like when I went on my visit [to Mississippi State], it was the place to be. I’ve always loved Mississippi State. And when I got on to campus, it just felt right.”
Furthermore, with her future at her dream school to look forward to, Powe will have a lot to look back on, especially during her last season. In 29 games, she averaged 19.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and four steals. A first-team all-state selection, Powe was also named the Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen.
To add to her already great individual season, Powe also helped lead Meridian to their first-ever girl’s basketball state title. She also captured Gatorade Mississippi Basketball Player of the Year.
“It was a goal [to win Gatorade POY],” Powe said. “I put in the work, and I deserved it. So, to be able to win, it felt good. My coach actually texted me early in the morning and told me. I was amazed and it was a great feeling. I felt blessed and there were a whole bunch of different emotions in that moment. But I was really happy.
“We’ve been in the semifinals three years in a row and finally to overcome that and get past that, and then win; it was great. We accomplished something that no one has at Meriden. To be the first team to do it, it’s amazing.”
Whewww it feels good to be the State Champs!!! We FINALLY DID IT. God I thank you for the many blessings you continue to give us💙💙💙 pic.twitter.com/R2dgS8k2P5
— Debreasha (@debreasha) March 6, 2022
It has been a memorable journey for Powe and Meridian. But now Powe is preparing for her freshman season with the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-2 forward will run into new challenges, but with Powe’s work ethic, she is sure to succeed at whatever lies ahead.
“She has the potential to go farther than Mississippi State,” Faulkner said. “She understands that she’s going into Mississippi State as a freshman, but nonetheless, she’s just going in there as a basketball player. She’s going to go in there and give all she has…she’s likely going to succeed at Mississippi State and even go further.”
“Basketball has been everything to me,” Powe said. “And being able to play with my teammates, being at Meridian, my coaches even at the college level, basketball teaches you lessons. It’s been an amazing part of my life.”
